Should you write consistently or in bulk?

Gosh, I would like to start this post by saying: The truth is, I am Iron Man. But I’m not (unfortunately). So keep your superhero socks on, but I’m going in for a confession, okay?

The truth is…I frequently forget how to write.

Didn’t see that coming, did you? But, unfortunately (again), I’m not joking. This is a mind-blowing problem that I can’t seem to fix. The adage is “Find what writing routine works best for you and stick to it”. But what if you can’t find that routine?

Every time I stop writing for a while, be it weeks or months, I forget how to write!I forget my routine, my tricks, my favourite writing music (now that really is unfortunate). What was my routine again? Didn’t I have some ritual involving chocolate chip biscuits and a striped tee-shirt? Wow, that sounds like an awesome ritual, I should definitely reinstate that one.

In my head, there are two options:Do not ask what else is inside my head, or you will regret it and you will die.

1. Write consistently. This could be called the Peanut Butter Turtle Method (yes, I made that up just now). I could write 1,000 words a day. Or less! A 100-words a day. Every day. I could set aside an hour each night that I plod along in my writing.

Why this works for me:– I don’t forget how to write, because I’m practising consistently.Why this doesn’t work for me:– I have a horrible terrible horrific memory. Wait, who are you? If I don’t write fast, I forget my what my book is about, who my characters are, where I even intended the story to go.– I get burnt out. I get tired of writing. I want a break where I don’t have to open a word document for a AGES.

2. Write in bulk.

This could be called the Hulk Method. Only because the word “bulk” reminds me of the word “hulk”, but whatever. Shall we move on? I could write in HUGE CHUNKS for a short time and then boom-baby, I’m finished another book in 2 weeks.

Why this works for me:– I don’t forget what I’m writing about! Bam, bam, bam, draft is done.

Why this doesn’t work for me:– I take longer breaks between writing full books (maybe 3 weeks, maybe a few months) and therefore forget how to write in between novels.

Yup. That’s exactly what’s going through my head.

See my strife? I don’t know which method to go with, because both have incredible pros and horrible cons. And believe me, I’ve tried them both.

Last year I wrote 4 books in 100 days, (as part of the Go Teen Writers 100×100 challenge). I wrote every. single. day. I churned out 4 complete books (each at a minimum of 60,000-words!) I was on a roll, baby! The 4th book was incredibly easy to write and I had such a good time.

But I got so incredibly burnt out. My ideas dried up. I was so tired (early mornings and late nights, peoples). Also: my books started merging together in my head. Which plot am I writing again? I maybe even accidentally killed characters. I didn’t want to open a word document ever again. Plus I sacrificed other things I like to do…you know, read books, blog…sleep.

BUT I was very productive in that time.

After that, I wrote 2 more books with a few months between each. This also worked, because I wrote them fast. 2 weeks per draft, but at least 3 months in between. It was easy on my brain because I was very focused on each book. In between drafts I worked on my business and read and blogged and babysat. Sitting on kids gives you great power. It wasn’t so freakishly obsessed thinking about the plots I needed to figure out.

But each time I went to start a new book…I had such bad writers block. How do you start a book again?!

I don’t know which routine works for me. They’re both equally doomed yet burdened with glorious purpose. So the real question is:

what about YOU? do you write consistently or in bulk? which is glorious and which is doomed? and because we’re already talking about it: best avenger?! totally iron man

Cait is not reading because she’s writing. It’s a tragedy. Her TBR is stacking up again… She’s eyeball deep in a Peter Pan retelling where the fairies are quite evil. But there’s lots of food. Food everywhere! Yay! Maybe she should write a Hansel and Gretel retelling…

Comments

First of all: you're insane. Second of all: I don't know which works better for me either. To be honest a mix of the two would work quite well. If that's possible. I haven't written NEARLY as many books as you, but the times I like best are NaNoWriMo. Unfortunately that kind of pace doesn't work for second and third and fourth drafts. I wish it did. So everything starts to languish when I write a second draft. BUT the good news is that when I'm finished this draft of The Daisy List, I can start on something really exciting. And try for 1000 words a day, because that's generally what I do with first drafts that aren't written during NaNoWriMo (or Camp NaNoWriMo). I like the idea of the Peanut Butter Turtle method (it's going to be a thing) because otherwise I lose the habit and like..never ever write. Ever. So I think I'll try and go with that one. 500 words a day sounds good right about now :)Great post! I hope you find a method that works for you…eventually.

Le sigh, you know, I probably am. I realise running around the house screaming about how much I love the Gone series and then I was asked why (weird, I know) and I said it's about freaky aliens who eat children…. Aaaaaand. That's probably not sane. So, um…#goodbyesanityAlso: MIX THE TWO ROCKS. I just haven't figured out how satisfactorily yet. 😐 I can't edit as fast as I draft either. It might have something to do with trying to be careful??? Not sure. x) I really really think Peanut Butter Turtle Method should be a thing and it should be emblazoned all over the internet as A THING. There.

I can't write to be honest. I have a terrible writing skill and I write and then I just forget what my book was about and I can't seem to come up with good, solid characters. So that's definitely a thing I still have to learn. I attempted to join Camp NaNo or just the normal NaNo, but they just don't seem to work for me. I wanted to go for 500/1000 words a day, which would be totally do-able, but sometimes I'm just too lazy to actually write you know. Plus favorite Avenger. Probably a tie between Thor and Captain America. I love them both equally much. my babies.

Don't worry, I totally get that. I have this thing were I tell myself, "Oh I'll write tomorrow." HAAAAAA. No. I can bribe myself to write though, so that's always a positive. And I CAN be pretty tough on myself. Although, you know, I have this puppy dog eyes and then myself let's me off easily. (Duuuude, NO IT'S IRON MAN.)

O dear, I can't choose between them! I think I've got the same problems which each method as you described. It feels great to write (or edit) a lot in a short time, but you can get really tired of your story. But when I did the 100/4/100, I had to look back what I said and what I hadn't said yet. Quite annoying…I'd prefer consistently writing during school days (which I often don't do… Most of my writing is done during weekends and holidays) and in bulk during holidays. But I rarely stick to this formula. Unfortunately…Interesting post, Cait!arendedewit.blogspot.com

I just can't keep my brain together if I write 100 words a day. I just LOSE it. What am I even saying?? I at least need to do a chapter in a sitting which is about 1.5K. I suck at keeping up anything on the weekend. I blame Mime. She distracts me.. x)

You know, I don't know which way works best for me either, and I think it differs from story to story. The story I wrote at the end of last year I wrote from September to November, but I wasn't writing EVERY day. I prefer to draft fairly quickly, and I only really wrote on that story in chunks(unfortunately, those large chunks of time were more spread out than I would like, but hey, sometimes life gets in the way). If I actually put all the days I wrote on that novel side-by-side, I probably wrote the first draft in 3-ish weeks. I LOVED drafting like that, BUT when I tried it for this story, it didn't work. And I'm not sure why. Different genres, different characters, the same tricks I used last time just weren't working. They're both "serious" stories(I don't think I have it in me to write fun books, but one of these days I'm going to try!), but this one is moreso. And it's contemporary. So I'm trying the slow & steady wins the race method, about 1,000 words a day. It's not my preferred method, but it's the only thing that seems to work with this story. So along I plod.

Oh, yes! That's totally true! Each book can demand different ways (sneaky little meanies. Honestly. Why can't they all be agreeable??) Once I was writing like 1 hour before breakfast and goooosh I was ON FIRE. But any book after that? I just couldn't do it. No motivation. No interest. I just wanted food and a chapter about just wanting food doesn't really count. -_- Unfortunately.

Writing in bulk is absolutely exhausting. *pants* BUT WORTHWHILE. Lately it's the only thing that's worked for me, well, kind of worked. Haha! I keep tiring myself out though and never wanting to write again.

Everyone has their own routine, and before I was writing consistently (I made myself write at least 2,000 words a day, sometimes more, it worked. Sometimes it didn't. It's funny though, does anyone else find it easy to write the beginning and end, but the middle, nope?). But, like you said, pros and cons of both so it really does differ to each writer/story, but writings not supposed to be easy, right? I haven't written anything solid for a year. Sleep really does suck your time away. THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE HOURS.

THE MIDDLE = AGGGGHHHHH. Okay, sometimes my middles work, but mostly it's my beginnings that are frustrating. Endings, ohhh, endings I love. It's awesome because you write "and then they woke up and realised it was a dream, the end" and huzzah. You're done! (Okay, I'm joking. I wouldn't do that. Maybe. Probably not.)I NEED MORE HOURS. I need a time machine. Or something. I NEED SOMEONE TO INVENT THIS ASAP.

Ugh, this is such a relatable topic for me. Now, I don't write novels (at least… not yet? Haha), but I do write fanfiction. And I want to keep on writing about my favorite ships and stuff like that. There are times that I write consecutively (10 chapters in 10 days), but I get so burnt out that I forget about it for YEARS (there was a time I took a break, forgot about, and remembered 3 years later lol). I've yet to find my own routine. Hopefully there will be something for me that isn't an "extreme" :DFaye at The Social Potato Reviews

But fanfic is STILL writing, so I reckon all the same headaches apply, right?!! x) Why is there no comfy middle ground??! Argh! XD 3 years is a long break, though…haha! I think my longest has been 6 months. Well, actually 12 years, because I only first wrote a "story" at 12.

Seeing as I have no set thingy, I just write (but I've only finished one novel. ONE I tell you! ONE! /sad) Though yesterday I wrote, like, 2000+ words. So that's good. Actually it might be more, I'm just not sure.

ONE IS STILL AWESOME. Most people don't even finish one, so we're awesome, Tabby. Honest. x) 2K is awesome, good on you! I'm trying to aim for some sort of middle ground, at the moment. I have a set goal of words a day and so far I'm making it! Yay! I'm on track for the first time in the whole book, though. XD

I write consistently. To the point where if I don't write or have some writing project I'm supposed to be working on, I go crazy. I wonder what to do with my life…Here's a thought. Why don't you keep a record of your routine? That way, if you bulk write, you'll know what you did last time so you can do it during the next round. Do it here, write it down somewhere, write a song about it, something that'll help you remember and that you can reference when you don't remember. Now. To the edits for me. I finished rewrite stage yesterday. Now I need to go back and see what all I need to fix…Good luck!~Robyn HoodeP.S.– Best Avenger is Iron Man. Or possibly Hawkeye. Maybe Thor. (I'm obviously indecisive.)

Crazy? Crazy is relative. I am ALWAYS crazy…about something. (Usually some odd fandom, but whatever.) I should do more recording actually, not a bad idea! 😉 I write down how long it takes a book to draft on my calendar. It's so fun to write things on a calendar. Just sayin'. Ahhh. edits. GOOD LUCK. I think I almost like rewriting-editing better because I have something to work off, not just my messy brain's imaginings. (PS. You totally rock. IT IS SO IRON MAN.)

It IS fun to write things on a calendar… I suddenly have realized how very little calendar I have. I need to remedy that!Thanks! In truth, the rewrite was awful. I never want to have to rewrite from scratch ever again. It greatly improved the book and I do like this draft better, but it was a lot of work. (I really need to watch the Iron Man movies. I've seen The Avengers, but I haven't seen the Iron Man movies.) :)~Robyn

Ugh. I wish I could write consistently. But I get so busy with work or school, that I have to go long stretches without writing. Every time I still down to write, I have to read the last scene to remind myself what sort of mood my characters were in (Oddball does get moody, and last time Rocky was thinking of dark, far away things. . .). So when I have a day off, or don't have to get up early the next morning, I sit down and write, write, write. Usually I'm staring at a blank screen for the first half hour, but it's all doom on anyone who dare speak to me. . . Recently though I've found it highly productive to take a laptop and flashdrive on long car trips. You have to do something with all that sitting around, and after the sun goes down you can't read. But laptops are awesome and produce their own light. 🙂

I get so lost if I have big breaks…okay, who are we kidding? I get lost if I have a DAY break. My memory is shocking. I probably won't even remember my own name in, like, 20 years. Yup. That'll be me. Oh I totally get staring at a blank screen. That equals, um, a HUGE portion of my writing time. 😉 I so wish I could type in the car. I get seriously carsick though. >_< Bleh.

I have a weird routine. I get burnt out on writing very easily. If I write over a thousand words every day for a week, by the next week I'm so burnt out on it that I don't want to write anything at all. So, I try to write something every day, whether it's one sentence or 100 sentences. But, if I write 2,000 words in one day the next day I don't make myself write any more than 100-200 words. I have to balance it like that, otherwise I would sit down and write 5,000 words in one day and say, "ok, I wrote 5,000 words today so that means I'll skip writing for the next week."

Ha! I know how you feel! That's kind of how I get with my books. I mean, "I wrote a book last month, so obviously I'm not touching the computer this week." >_< I really really struggle with consistency.

I'm not sure if I have a routine. At the moment my writing is quite consistent. I write everyday – even if it's only 100 words. (Normally it turns out to be over 500 words, depending on time limits.) My best writing time is early morning, so I get up at 5.30 almost everyday. And it takes me ages to finish an entire book, probably because I think so much about the book and try and make it as perfect as possible during the drafts. Yeah. Silly me. It IS only a draft. As for getting burned out … I have never experienced that … and I DO know that just sounded weird for me to say that.

OH you are so good!! I think that's a fabulous habit to have. Keeps you in the mode too. But 5:30??!! DUDE YOU ARE AMAZING. I got up a 6:30 for 2 weeks once so I could write a few hours before the "day began" kind of thing. Buuuut I am never doing that again. >_<

Girl, you're cray! Hahaha. I definitely could not do the bulk option. I'd feel the burn out right away and wouldn't be able to handle it. I'm definitely a person that would write for a bit each day, that's how my creative writing class is designed and it actually works much better for me.Favorite avenger? You can't just ask that. They're all fab. Black widow is soooo kick ass and is an amazing role model to girls. I just wish we could see more from her storyline. She deserves her own movie! I also love Thor c: And Mark Ruffalo's Hulk is super cute aghhh. Iron Man is just pure awesome. Captain America is the underdog that you adore. THEY'RE ALL FAB OKAY.

Huh, crazy? YES YES OF COURSE I AM. It's a little bit interesting living in my head, let me tell you. >.< I think consistency sounds like the <i> better idea, I just can't get into it, you know?! I really need to do another 100×100 challenge or something. That was super good for my motivation. It is an awful question, I do agree. But it's still IRON MAN. But I'm agreeing with you on Hulk. He's a much better Hulk than that other guy. 😉 Aaaand…well, Thor is Australia, so you know, I have a weakness there….

Woah!!! You churned out 4 books in 100 days?! Girl you are a powerhouse, that is an achievement in itself! I would really love to read one of your books sometime 🙂 I hope they get published someday! I'm interested in hearing people's writing processes, and the hulk one sounds crazy. And wow, I suppose it is possible to forget your characters and ideas for a book!Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

Ah, those fond old days… XD I haven't done anything like that for aaaages though, I feel like such a slacker! It's almost been a year now, actually. And oh gosh, I SO hope they get published someday. Although I'm going to be one of those annoying authors who has too many books lying around. Haha!

Haha (: ~ I kind of love your new header and look. It looks like it came straight out of a Shel Silverstein book.I would also find writing slow (if it was 100 words a day) hard when I had to come back the next day. I would forget where I wanted to go from there but you can try adding notes while you write so you remember where your though process was the day before.I'm impressed with your writing skills. Maybe when you go into Hulk Mode don't go too far into it. Write 1 book and continue editing it when you are feeling writers block or feeling like you don't know how to get back into a routine. By editing you may get back into your routine and get some amazing ideas for your next book.You seriously need to publish some books already. You sound like the girlier and younger version of what James Patterson does. I don't write because I hate starting to write because all the plot and characters are in my head but how on earth am I supposed to get them out??? One day maybe I'll actually sit down and try to write but until then I will have my mouth gaping open at your amazingness.

I'M SO GLAD YOU LIKE IT!! Mime drew it and she's so aaaaawesome. x) I'm very happy. I really think going "not to far" is actually a good idea. I like to give myself limits. So if I'm going to be crazy and go 5K a day…actually STICK to 5K a day and if I finish early then let myself finish early and do other stuff, you know?? I'm a bit of an over-achiever, I guess. >_< I HAVE NOT READ JAMES PATTERSON. I THINK I NEED TO NOW.

You're giving me MOTIVATION TO WRITE A BOOK. great, thanks Cait. I already have too much to do during the summer and I cannot deal with that added stress. And wut. 4 books in a 100 days. how. how did you do that. I know this isn't creative writing, BUT DO YOU WANT TO FINISH MY LINGUISTICS PAPER FOR ME IT'S ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE 4 PAGES HELP ME. jk. Hmm, since I've never written a full 60,000 word book before, I'll just imagine this scenario. No matter which way you write, either consistently or not, it's gonna be hard to start a new book, at least in my imaginative opinion. I think it's just because switching gears is really hard, and switching from plot to plot can mess you up. Like you just finished a book where you were emotionally attached to characters, and now you have to forget all of that and start ALL OVER. It's just a huge hurdle to get over. But besides that point, and like you said, either way has it's pros and cons and choosing one single way and sticking to it is pretty tough. Because sometimes you just have that feeling and you HAVE to write, while other times you don't. And that just sucks. So yeah. GOOD LUCK ON THAT I'M SORRY I DIDN'T SOLVE ANY PROBLEMS.

DO IT. DO IT. DO IT. Everyone needs a seriously stressful and frustrating book-writing adventure in their life. ;)Honestly, if it's made-up-stuff I do it in a flash. If it's anything else…cue dying. I was quite bad at school actually. 😉 GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PAPER.Oh gosh, yes the emotional attachment is SO unreal. I mean I get weirdly attached to just fandoms that I read/watch and I'm not even doing the work behind them. So when they're MY babies…yeah, it gets a bit intense sometimes. (Okay all the time.) AND I DON'T CARE THAT WE DIDN'T SOLVE ANYTHING. IT'S JUST AWESOME TALKING.

I know I tell you this all the time, but I'm just so impressed with what you are able to accomplish. 4 novels in 100 days! That's just insane. Totally awesome, but insane. I don't really write any more…except for my blog…but I know when I used to write short stories that I definitely did it in the hulk/bulk method. I NEEDED to get every word down immediately. I would get obsessed with my characters and the story and couldn't think of anything else until it was all down on paper. You are right that both have pros and cons, but only your brain knows the best way to write your story. Do what works. Fun post! PS I'm loving the new design. You probably have a post about it that I'll see in a minute, but it is super cute.

Totally insane. I've never managed it since. XD Haha! Or anything close, actually. I've only drafted 1 book this year, and it was only about 35K anyway because it was MG. Sooo tiny. x) AND YAY! Other Hulker/bulkers! Honestly that method is the one I always fall into, but I just WISH I could be more consistent instead. My brain doesn't know anything, I don't think. Except the way to the fridge, and that's not so handy for writing.

I'm more of a Peanut Butter Turtle writer. Since I consider myself a professional writer, I don't want to fall out of the habit, so I make myself write at least two words every day. Not spectacular, but two words do get me somewhere. Besides, if I ignore my words for too long, I get grumpy.But I do go on Hulk sprees where I'll churn out 2,000 – 3,000 words a day for a while. They usually last only a week to a month, but they're great while they last … which is usually until I hit writer's block.Haven't seen any of the Avengers yet, superheros not being my thing, but I've been considering it of late, as I need to research superheros for the dystopic superhero boarding school book I've been working on.

And falling out of habit totally sucks. Bleh. It's the worst. I have SUCH bad writer's block and stage-fright every time I start a book…after I warm up though, I wail less. 😉 I used to get uber grumpy and tense if I didn't write. Now I must be lazy or something, because I just write because my head is absolutely overwhelmed with ideas. >_<

"Do not ask what else is inside my head, or you will regret it and you will die." LOL If you make me laugh any more I will die, hahaha! x)And who 4 books in 100 days?! I've honestly been trying to write for a while now, but I've never managed to finish a book. A few short stories, sure, but nothing above 5,000 words. D: Anyway, I usually write in bulk. I totally forget the whole "forgetting to write" thing. Like at first I have HUGE ideas for a novel, but then if I don't write them all at once, I'll only remember small chunks of them and will give myself a crappy time for forgetting the bigger picture! 🙁 So yeah. I usually just stick to short stories! 😀

*sharpens knives* OKAY KIDDING. *throws cake at Aimee instead* There. Soft death by cake. I'm so kind. I WISH I COULD WRITE SHORT STORIES. Honestly, it's an absolute talent and you're lucky. 😉 I can't squash my brain that small at all, and I'm trying so hard. XD I write myself plots and outlines and stuff…but it's literally forgetting what I wrote in the last chapter. *headdkes* I'm so terrible.

Bulk writing sounds terrifying. I don't think my brain is mentally strong enough. o.o I can't believe you churned out four novels in a hundred days. Your poor brain and creative juices. >_<I'm more of a write whenever I get an idea type of person. Sometimes they go nowhere, but it's nice to at least attempt this writing thing.

HOLY BATMAN. How do you even? I don't like bulk writing, I agree that you'd just get off topic and start writing really random stuff. I guess there isn't really a format for how you write, but just do whatever you feel like at the time :)Lovely post, Cait! <33

I try to write every day. Sometimes it's not in my book. Lately I've allowed myself to freewrite random ideas. It helps me break into writing each day. I bump over the rusty parts and by the time I get to my book, I already have momentum going. It really helps a lot. Sometimes I only freewrite, and I never even get to my book, but I'm happy because I wrote SOMETHING. It's awesome fun too because I usually go to my writerly ideas pinterest board and choose a picture, then write a page or so of whatever pops into my head. Also, if I have to FORCE myself to write, I don't. I write because I love it, and if I force myself to do it, I'm not enjoying it. I want to make sure I always view my writing as fun and enjoyable, not a chore. So sometimes I write 2,000 words a day. Sometimes I write 30. Clintasha.

FREEDOM?! WHAT IS THIS THING YOU SPEAK OF??!I'm probably too strict sometimes…but I really honestly have to be or I just wouldn't finish anything. I get horrible SQUIRREL syndrome sometimes. I'd free write but I have to have a point to everything I do, really. Yup, I'm terrible. XD I have to force myself, actually, because I know I'll get into a rhythm I just need to hurry up and start.

So…how many finished first drafts do you have now? Seriously, you kill me with your speed (maybe you are Iron Man!). And how many of those go on to live further? I find I have first drafts, but I edit one so much that the other never get any editing/rewriting/progress. 🙁

Ugh, I feel your pain! I'm terrible at writing consistently and most of the time, I just can't. But I don't necessarily write in bulk either, at least not to the extent that you do. How do you write so much so quickly?! But I definitely have problems remembering aspects of my story and even characters, major or otherwise, if I either write over a large span of time or if I don't write for a long time. It's so bad! I need to get into the habit of writing more in general. I should start writing something new, but argg, editing is another monster.Anyway, best of luck to you, Cait! 🙂

4 books in 100 days is so uber incredible – WOAH. I don't think I could ever do that :OTo be honest, I don't write consistently OR in bulk. My writing is all about emotion and creativity. I can only write when I truly feel like I will be adding to the story and not just writing for the sake of writing. So far it has worked but then sometimes a bit of time can pass between segments. But I don't mind. I really like writing when I feel like the words I'm putting into the book are furthering the story 😀 Which is of course not to say that doesn't happen with consistent or bulk writing – just for me!